Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

better than the movies lynn painterTitle: Better Than the Movies
Author: Lynn Painter
Series: Better Than the Movies #1
Genre: , ,
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 4, 2021

Summary (from Goodreads):

Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her next-door neighbor would be a prince candidate for her romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only proven himself to be a pain in the butt, ever since they were little. Wes was the kid who put a frog in her Barbie Dreamhouse, the monster who hid a lawn gnome's severed head in her little homemade neighborhood book exchange.

Flash forward ten years from the Great Gnome Decapitation. It's Liz's senior year, a time meant to be rife with milestones perfect for any big screen, and she needs Wes's help. See, Liz's forever crush, Michael, has just moved back to town, and—horribly, annoyingly—he's hitting it off with Wes. Meaning that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her, and hopefully be her prom date, she needs Wes. He's her in.

But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she's shocked to discover that she actually likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like.

Amazon “iBooks”

We may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase through links on our site.

 

Book Quotes

“My inheritance was the knowledge that love is always in the air, always a possibility, and always worth it.”

“I fell in love with teasing you in the second grade, when I first discovered that I could turn your cheeks pink with just a word. Then I fell in love with you.”


About Lynn Painter

lynn painter

Lynn Painter writes romantic comedies for both teens and adults. She is the author of Better Than the Movies, Mr. Wrong Number, The Do-Over, and Betting on You, as well as being a regular contributor to the Omaha World-Herald.

Also Featured In:

Young Adult Romance Books

YA BookTok Books

YA Enemies To Lovers Books

feel good books

Last Updated on June 4, 2025

The Queen by Kiera Cass

the queen by kiera cassTitle: The Queen
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection #0.4
Genre: , , ,
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: December 2, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

Before America Singer's story began, another girl came to the palace to compete for the hand of a different prince….

Don't miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series. This prequel story takes place before the events of The Selection and is told from the point of view of Prince Maxon's mother, Amberly. Discover a whole new Selection with this inside look at how Maxon's parents met—and how an ordinary girl named Amberly became a beloved queen.

Amazon “iBooks”

Last Updated on February 22, 2024

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

empire of storms sarah j maasTitle: Empire of Storms
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #5
Genre: , ,
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Publication Date: September 6, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

In this breathtaking fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, Aelin will have to choose what—and who—to sacrifice if she's to keep the world of Erilea from breaking apart.

Amazon “iBooks”

Last Updated on February 24, 2024

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

All My Rage by Sabaa TahirTitle: All My Rage
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Genre: , ,
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: March 1, 2022

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lahore, Pakistan. Then.
Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Cloud’s Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start.

Juniper, California. Now.
Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town of Juniper, California, they understand each other the way no one else does. Until The Fight, which destroys their bond with the swift fury of a star exploding.

Now, Sal scrambles to run the family motel as his mother Misbah’s health fails and his grieving father loses himself to alcoholism. Noor, meanwhile, walks a harrowing tightrope: working at her wrathful uncle’s liquor store while hiding the fact that she’s applying to college so she can escape him—and Juniper—forever.

When Sal’s attempts to save the motel spiral out of control, he and Noor must ask themselves what friendship is worth—and what it takes to defeat the monsters in their pasts and the ones in their midst.

From one of today’s most cherished and bestselling young adult authors comes a breathtaking novel of young love, old regrets, and forgiveness—one that’s both tragic and poignant in its tender ferocity.

Amazon “iBooks”

We may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase through links on our site.

About Sabaa Tahir

Image of Sabba Tahir

Sabaa Tahir grew up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s 18-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother’s comic book stash and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks and all things nerd. Sabaa currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Also Featured In:

Young Adult Romance Books

Last Updated on May 23, 2024

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley FitzpatrickTitle: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Genre: , ,
Publisher: Speak
Publication Date: June 14, 2012

Summary (from Goodreads):

ON ONE SUMMER NIGHT, EVERYTHING CHANGED.

Life in Samantha Reed's home is neat and clean and orderly—precisely planned by her local politician mother. Next door, at the Garretts', things are loud, messy, and irresistible. And when gorgeous Jase Garrett climbs the trellis outside her bedroom and enters her life, she finds herself falling passionately in love with him and everything he brings with him. The only hitch is, she's got to hide it from her mother. Then something unthinkable happens, and Samantha is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

Amazon “iBooks”

We may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase through links on our site.

About Huntley Fitzpatrick

Huntley Fitzpatrick

Huntley Fitzpatrick grew up dreamy and distracted in coastal Connecticut. She flourished in a family of bookworms where everyone always had their nose in a book. She kept an exhaustively thorough journal which frightened her boyfriends but has proved very useful in her career as a writer. Her debut contemporary Romance, MY LIFE NEXT DOOR, was published in June of 2012 by Penguin-Dial for Young Readers. Now she laughs with and eavesdrops on her six children who provide her with perspective and material. She is represented by the amazing Christina Hogrebe of the Jane Rotrosen Agency.

Also Featured In:

Young Adult Romance Books

Last Updated on May 31, 2024